This is Part 3 of Legends of Indian Cinema, our 20-part series on the actors, filmmakers and musicians who shaped Indian films across languages. New here? Start with Part 1: Dadasaheb Phalke, or read the previous part, Part 2: Satyajit Ray.
Few Indian filmmakers have been loved as widely as Raj Kapoor. As actor, director and producer, he made films full of music, romance and social messages, and he became known simply as "The Showman".
Early life
- Born on 14 December 1924 in Peshawar. He was the eldest son of the great stage and screen actor Prithviraj Kapoor.
- He began as a clapper boy and assistant, and made his debut as a child actor in the 1930s.
- His first lead role was in Neel Kamal (1947), opposite Madhubala.
RK Films
- In 1948, at just 24, he founded RK Films and directed Aag.
- Barsaat (1949) was a huge hit. Its image of Raj Kapoor holding a violin and Nargis became the RK Films logo.
- RK Studios in Chembur, Mumbai, became one of Hindi cinema's best-known landmarks.
The tramp and the songs
- Inspired by Charlie Chaplin, Raj Kapoor created a lovable, innocent tramp character. That figure appeared in Awara (1951) and Shree 420 (1955).
- "Mera Joota Hai Japani" from Shree 420 became an anthem of the new, independent India.
- His long collaboration with composers Shankar–Jaikishan, singer Mukesh and lyricist Shailendra produced some of Hindi cinema's most loved songs.
- His screen pairing with Nargis is one of the most celebrated in film history.
Star in the Soviet Union
Awara was a sensation in the Soviet Union, China and the Middle East. "Awara Hoon" became one of the most famous Indian songs abroad, and Raj Kapoor became a household name across the USSR.
Later films
- Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960) and Sangam (1964) were major successes.
- Mera Naam Joker (1970), his most personal film, failed at the time but is now regarded as a classic.
- Bobby (1973) launched his son Rishi Kapoor and set a template for teen romances.
- He also directed Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), Prem Rog (1982) and Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985).
Honours and legacy
- Padma Bhushan (1971) and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1987).
- He died on 2 June 1988.
- The Kapoor family continues in cinema across generations, from Randhir and Rishi Kapoor to Karisma, Kareena and Ranbir Kapoor.
- His birth centenary in December 2024 was marked with a nationwide festival of his restored films.
Next in the series: Part 4: Dilip Kumar.
